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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 15:42:22 GMT -5
Proving himself to the NFL
Where Westbrook came from is Division I-AA Villanova and before that suburban Washington, D.C., where he excelled in football and basketball for DeMatha Catholic High School.
Yet largely because of his height — officially 5-10 but an inch or two shorter during his recruitment period — top-flight colleges demurred. So he readily accepted the chance to play for 'Nova.
James, who now owns a personal trainer business, believes the I-A snub might have been for the best for his friend.
"When we were growing up, it was never said that you couldn't do something, especially because of your size, because we all believed otherwise," says James, who, at 5-4, started at running back for three years at Salisbury (Md.) State. "What he did at Villanova speaks for itself."
Does it ever.
Westbrook ran, caught and kick-returned his way into the I-AA record books. His career 9,885 yards is a standard, as is his 1998 feat of contributing more than 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving.
His coming-out party was in his sophomore year, against Big Brother, I-A Pittsburgh. Westbrook supplied 428 all-purpose yards in the 48-41 loss to the Panthers. He ran back a punt and a kickoff for scores and caught two touchdown passes. "That," Westbrook's father says, "was the first day the NFL even dawned on me, and Brian, too. But after that, you know, the talk started."
It continued after Westbrook sat out the 1999 season, as a junior, with a knee injury. As a senior, he was named the top player in I-AA.
Rising stock? Well, no. The Eagles grabbed the crosstown kid with the 91st overall pick.
"When Brian looks within himself, he still feels he has something to prove," James says. "You know, he's too small, he came from a small college. I see that even now. He just doesn't want to be the best back for the Eagles, he wants to be the best in the NFL."
Westbrook's take: "This is a business, so it's important that you try to be the best you can be."
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 15:44:08 GMT -5
Talking, not playing, politics
Born in the nation's capital and raised in its suburbs, Brian Westbrook is no stranger to inside-the-Beltway political babble.
On top of that, according to Philadelphia Eagles publicists, he has received write-in votes as Philly's mayor, state Supreme Court justice and registrar of wills.
Might he take the political plunge one of these days?
"Well, I appreciate those votes, and I never say never, but that's not really what I'm looking to do," Westbrook says with a knowing grin. "After football, I just want to be in a position where I can help people."
But he did follow the 2004 presidential debates. And he does have his preference, which he chooses not to reveal.
His, you see, is a paradox.
"Because of the money I make, I guess I'd have to say I go Republican," Westbrook says. "But in my heart, I'll always be a Democrat."
Told of this, his mom, Zelda, a telecommunications specialist for the U.S. Department of Justice, and his dad, Ron, a branch manager for a financial company, chuckle.
"I'm not surprised that he said that," his dad says, adding, with laughter, "He knows where this family stands; he knows the good things we think about being a good Democrat. But he's also smart, and, well, it sure looks like the Republicans are taking over."
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 15:47:18 GMT -5
Hoping for 'magic' in business
And that means in any business.
With credits logged toward a master's in business administration, a degree he says he might complete before his football career is finished, Westbrook definitely plans to enter the business sector.
He admittedly wants to do so "to make a lot of money" but also to help folks far less fortunate. That's one of the reasons he admires what former NBA great Magic Johnson has done in the business world, with an emphasis on bringing high-end retailers to low- to moderate-income areas.
"His name brings in so much sponsorship dollars, and that's important, and I'd like to be in that position myself one day," Westbrook says. "But that's a prime example of what I want to do, which is helping other people while also being successful in business."
As a big-time buff of organized crime sagas, he's particularly drawn to Al Pacino's Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
"That," Westbrook says, "was a businessman. What he did was illegal, so that's nothing to admire, but he did run a tight ship. Very detail-oriented. Knew everything that was going on. Every little single detail. That way, if there was a problem, he didn't have to have other people doing his business for him."
Parallels to football? Does Westbrook's vocation enhance his future vocation?
"Without a doubt," he says. "In both sectors, you have to win people over at some point in time or you're not going to last.
"And also, in sports and business, sometimes you have to take a calculated risk. You have to ask yourself, 'Is it worth it for me to do this, that or the other and how profitable will it be for me or the team — or the business — at the end of the day?' "
In this business model, the closing bell will clang sometime late Sunday.
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 16:05:31 GMT -5
 girl.... you know we should be on top of him ;D |
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 16:08:08 GMT -5
 why does he look so mean in this picture?  |
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 16:10:20 GMT -5
 *oh god... give me just one chance to slap that booty* |
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 16:12:37 GMT -5
 brian brian brian  |
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Post by destiny5 on Mar 20, 2005 16:14:24 GMT -5
 damn... they love to be on top of brian. step off.... thats our job!  |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 19:36:45 GMT -5
to be honest with you.... i though brian was dead. he was down and didnt really move. for a few seconds i was like Oh no! Poor baby...you really thought Brian checked out for good?  LOL...that is something else! It was a "different" touchdown celebration, though. ;D I thought it was funny how out-of-shape he was... |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 19:40:39 GMT -5
girl.... you know we should be on top of him ;D Hey, let's pretend that I'm Todd Pinkston, and you're James Thrash.  (Well it's true that I'm the darker-skinned one...but I'm nowhere near that thin, lol. But at least I'm the one that's right on top of him!) |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 19:46:47 GMT -5
d**n... they love to be on top of brian. step off.... thats our job! Okay? LOL But it's fun to see these pics. I don't know about you...but I see what men are talking about when they like to see two hot women making out and stuff.  I feel the same way when I see these hot men piling on top of each other and patting each other and everything.  I guess men find Brian very huggable, too, lol. |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 19:55:08 GMT -5
why does he look so mean in this picture? Dunno...but I like Brian's "mean" look.  It's hot and sexy. If this is from training camp...training camp is notorious for being sheer h*ll. It's not fun at all. I'd look mean, too, if I were sweating through two workouts a day in the hot Pennsylvania sun. (It gets just as hot up North during the summer as it does down here. Maybe even hotter...) It'll be okay, Brian! |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 19:58:49 GMT -5
*oh god... give me just one chance to slap that booty* LOL - girl, you've got it bad for Brian's booty. ;D I am completely with you, though! I mean I'd love to be supervising these drills... |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 20:02:53 GMT -5
brian brian brian You're trying to censure yourself, now? I think I know what you're thinking, though! |
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Post by GeorgiaEagle on Mar 24, 2005 20:23:31 GMT -5
Hoping for 'magic' in business And that means in any business. With credits logged toward a master's in business administration, a degree he says he might complete before his football career is finished, Westbrook definitely plans to enter the business sector. He admittedly wants to do so "to make a lot of money" but also to help folks far less fortunate. That's one of the reasons he admires what former NBA great Magic Johnson has done in the business world, with an emphasis on bringing high-end retailers to low- to moderate-income areas. "His name brings in so much sponsorship dollars, and that's important, and I'd like to be in that position myself one day," Westbrook says. "But that's a prime example of what I want to do, which is helping other people while also being successful in business." As a big-time buff of organized crime sagas, he's particularly drawn to Al Pacino's Michael Corleone in The Godfather. "That," Westbrook says, "was a businessman. What he did was illegal, so that's nothing to admire, but he did run a tight ship. Very detail-oriented. Knew everything that was going on. Every little single detail. That way, if there was a problem, he didn't have to have other people doing his business for him." Parallels to football? Does Westbrook's vocation enhance his future vocation? "Without a doubt," he says. "In both sectors, you have to win people over at some point in time or you're not going to last. "And also, in sports and business, sometimes you have to take a calculated risk. You have to ask yourself, 'Is it worth it for me to do this, that or the other and how profitable will it be for me or the team — or the business — at the end of the day?' " In this business model, the closing bell will clang sometime late Sunday. That was an excellent article. I'm glad you posted it because I totally missed this when it came out. Wow...Brian is truly blessed with many gifts - athletic brawn, and an amazing brain. Not to mention his beautiful personality. He certainly has his head screwed on right! What's also of interest to me is that Brian seems to have grown up in a very suburban, middle-class environment. And he grew up with both parents in the household. (As Dhani Jones puts it, his household was closer to "The Cosby Show" than to "Menace to Society", lol) I think that upbringing shows up in his personality and in the classy way he carries himself. That's not to say that you have to come from a middle-class suburban background to be classy - look at Curtis Martin. So many of these big-time athletes come from poor or ghetto backgrounds, without a father. Often this affects them in a negative way. |
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